-alis

of, relating to

Forms

-alis
-aris — Latin variant especially used when the stem already contained l, avoiding a repeated l sound.
-al — English ending borrowed through French or directly from Latin.
-ar — English ending continuing Latin -aris.

Origin

An older Latin adjective-forming suffix; its more remote ancestry is uncertain.

Note

Expresses a relationship without specifying its kind: material, place, purpose, and other connections are possible.

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adjective

nominal

NAH-muh-nul/ˈnɑːmɪnl/

Existing in name or appearance rather than in substance.

She is the nominal leader, but her deputy makes every decision.

Etymology

nominLatinname

+alLatinof, relating to

Originally “pertaining to a name,” nominal came to contrast names with actual things. Something nominal can therefore possess a title or label without the reality that the name normally implies.

More examples

The committee has only nominal authority over the budget.
Their partnership is nominal; they never actually work together.
The region retains nominal independence while a neighboring country controls its affairs.

Forms

nominal

nominally adverb — In name but not in reality.

Similar words

titular: Specifically describes holding a title without its usual authority.
ostensible: Describes what appears or is claimed, without confirming its reality.